Keram Malicki-Sanchez – The Birdseed

There are a rare breed of people who are not merely artistic but ultra-artistic. Not merely content to be in a band, they have too many ideas for one project. They play music, they write, they make films, they act, they paint, do any of a hundred other things, and they do them all with various degrees of skill that would make the less talented person sick. LA-based Keram Malicki-Sanchez appears to be one of those people. After forming his own record label at 19 for his band/project Blue Dog Pict, he’s done experimental theater, radio drama, acted in television and film, written novels, and more.

The Blue Dog Pict seem to have an odd retro-rock style that verges at times on 70’s pop and others on an almost industrial sound. Recording solo, his music is an odd amalgamation of styles he at times refers to as non-rock, at other times points out its clearly rocking attributes. As many musicians on their own do, Keram blends styles indiscriminately, mixing rock, new-wave, electronic experimentation, and pure, catchy, hook-laden pop all at once. At times, it sounds remarkably similar to other, well-established musicians, while at other times it takes on the truly unique feel he was obviously pursuing.

“The Birdseed” is one of those songs that blends styles and works quite well. Starting off with buzzing electric guitar and up-tempo pop hooks, it turns into a mix of electronic beats and Elvis Costello-esque pop, blending the styles quite well. Throughout it all, there are moments of heavy guitar riffage, moments of almost gospel-like vocals, and almost British-sounding pop. It’s catchy, to say the least. However, it’s a bit repetitive, and at times it feels like he’s adding in the extra beats for their own sake.

Some artists thrive on their own, free from any restraint of a band to explore their own creative tendencies. Others need the structure of a band to at least help them cull through the host of ideas. Keram Malicki-Sanchez is clearly talented, and without seeing or hearing any of his other endeavors, he’s got quite a bit of skill as a musician. He may need someone to rein in his creativity, however, and help add more structure, to help him choose what’s worth keeping and what’s merely interesting.